led, headed after 3 out, ridden after next, soon chasing winner, no impression
tracked leaders, weakened from 3 out
behind from 5th, never dangerous
chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, pushed along 5th, never dangerous
held up in touch, chased leaders approaching 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened next
held up, outpaced halfway, some headway from 3 out, never dangerous
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 6th
held up, pushed along halfway, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 6th
tracked leaders, weakened from 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leader, led after 3 out, soon ridden and headed, weakened approaching last
held up in touch, led on bit approaching 2 out, soon clear, easily
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up mid-division, weakened after 5th
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Axinit is the pick at the weights and is a solid selection but Northaw Lad rates an interesting opponent whilst Diamond Mick and Mr Ex could also figure. The selection won in this grade in December with ease but failed to cope with the step up to handicap company next time. He was duly dropped back to selling company at Uttoxeter and only narrowly lost out to Totally Scottish. The pair finished a long way clear and he can make amends. Northaw Lad has been on the sidelines for a while but has run well fresh in the past and has the form to be a factor. Indeed, by a quirk of fate, he finished just 4 lengths behind Totally Scottish on his final start which came in May 2006. Conditions will be no problem and he must be feared. Diamond Mick and Mr Ex made the frame in a course and distance claimer on New Year's Day, form which puts them in the picture but Axinit appeals as the likeliest winner.
Axinit (GER) 3-1 (11-5) Led, clear after 3rd, headed last, soon no extra, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Totally Scottish (11-1) at Leicester 2m 4f sll hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Frankincense (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden 6th, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 10, 28l behind Sun King (11-9) at Catterick 2m 3f clm hdl (5) gs in Jan.
Mr Ex (ARG) 33-1 (11-4) Held up, effort approaching 3 out, no impression, 8th of 20, 19l behind Random Native (11-9) at Doncaster 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
Tashkandi (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Chased leader, jumped slowly 1st, ridden and every chance when not fluent 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 3rd of 7, 21l behind Esquillon (10-6) at Huntingdon 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Jan.
Tirol Livit (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened from next, 4th of 10, 11l behind The Weaver (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m sll hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Arctic Cove 11-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, led flat until headed close home, 2nd of 17, 1/2l behind Spivitus (10-11) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Dec.
Diamond Mick 10-3jt-fav (11-6) In rear, headway 6th, chased leaders approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Sun King (11-9) at Catterick 2m 3f clm hdl (5) gs in Jan.
Jabraan (USA) 100-1 (8-0) Slowly into stride and always in rear, last of 9, 26l behind Cinematic (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov (Flat).
Mr Lear (USA) 14-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Sun King (11-9) at Catterick 2m 3f clm hdl (5) gs in Jan, 10 ran.
Northaw Lad (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) In rear, blundered 2nd, headway to join leader 4th, led 3 out, ridden and headed when edged left flat, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Totally Scottish (10-6) at Wetherby 2m 4f clm hdl (5) hvy in May '06.
Pendle Forest (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, headway 5th, kept on from 2 out, 3rd of 14, 12l behind Devilfishpoker Com (11-3) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
Theatre Belle 50-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, weakened 3 out, 8th of 14, 42l behind Smart Man (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Dec.
Time To Act 66-1 (10-0) Led 1st, soon lost place, tailed off when, 10th of 13, well behind Charlie Crab (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Verstone (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Towards rear, headway 3 out, weakened from 2 out, 6th of 17, 21l behind Spivitus (10-11) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Dec.
Namarian (IRE) 12-1 (9-13) Held up, weakened from 7th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Sun King (11-9) at Catterick 2m 3f clm hdl (5) gs in Jan, 10 ran.
